Look out, folks, I've been thinking....

[Johnny Stew]

I've been thinking that, given the significance of this date and the effects it has had on us all... worldwide... perhaps we should all take this time to step back and re-evaluate how we deal with each other on these boards.
Sure, this is "just a message board," and in the grand scheme of things, it has little consequence... but I tend to think that how we deal with each other here can be very reflective of how we deal with people beyond the cyber-realm.

I've noticed lately that many posts are steeped in sarcasm... weighted with not-so subtle jabs at one person or another (or even groups of people)... and often times just downright confrontational.
I think for many people, it has become a game of "who can snipe whom with the most withering jab."

Now, I'm not talking about refraining from debates, or from sharing opinions... we can't all be of one-mind or one-thought, or else it would be a very boring world indeed.
I'm merely suggesting that we all let bygones be bygones.
When you go to respond to something, maybe stop for a moment and think about your reasons. Do you really have something to add, or are you just trying to get a little snide remark in there?
When you create a new topic... are you doing so to spark a conversation, or are you doing so in an attempt to tear someone down?

If you're doing so because of the latter reasons, maybe you should ask yourself why.

I know sometimes it's hard to let things slide, but after a while, this "eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth" way of dealing with people will leave us all with nothing. Life's just too short for that nonsense... which is something we should all be very acutely aware of now.

Given the emotional weight of the day, I guess my hippie-tendencies are in full evidence... and I'm sure some people will read this and roll their eyes at how goofy I may sound. And yes, maybe this way of thinking is all very naive of me, but hey, I'm not afraid of embarassing myself.
If we have any hope of making our world a better place, we can't be afraid to stick our necks out once in a while... or of starting small, and working our way up.


Johnny Stew (who's now down from his soapbox)